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Austria and Russia - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, investment, diplomacy, culture and tourism

VBAG to Cut More than 1,000 Jobs

Today, the Austrian problem bank announced to sharpen its austerity program radically. Until 2017, VBAG must be downsized to the half of its current size.

September 21, 2012

Volksbank International AG (VBI) Enlarges Managing Board

Thoralf Arlt and David O’Mahony are appointed to the VBI Board by RussianSberbank.

September 21, 2012

Serbian EU Approach Endangered

The Serbian government rejects making concessions to Kosovo. The EU accession may be damaged, however.

September 19, 2012

Czech Republic: Exports to Russia Reach new High

In 2012, the exports to Russia are estimated to surpass € 4.6bn. This would be a new record.

September 15, 2012

Takeover of OMV´s Petrol Stations: INA Faces Legal Restrictions

The Austrian OMV Group plans to withdraw from Croatia and Bosnia. The Croatian subsidiary of MOL is interest in OMV´s petrol stations, but may face legal restrictions from a competition law point of view.

September 7, 2012

Croatian INA Submits Offer to OMV

Austrian OMV sells its petrol station business in Croatia and Bosnia. The Croatian subsidiary of Hungarian MOL has submitted a binding offer.

September 5, 2012

OMV and Total Start Gas Drillings in Bulgaria´s Black Sea

Bulgaria wants to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. Together with the French Total Group and the Spanish Repsol Group, Austrian OMV begins test gas drillings in the Bulgarian Black Sea.

September 1, 2012

Spindelegger Welcomes Russia’s WTO Accession

Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger underlines Russia´s importance for the domestic business location.

August 30, 2012

VIG Withdraws from Russia

Vienna Insurance Group concludes sale of holdings in Russian Insurers MSK Life, SG MSK and SoVita.

August 29, 2012

Croatia Said to Become Part of South Stream Pipeline

Good news for Croatia: Gazprom and Plinacro are said to have agreed on a natural gas pipeline across Croatia. The pipeline may enhance employment and reduce natural gas costs.

August 27, 2012

Strabag: CEO Haselsteiner Is Said to Consider Delisting

The Austrian construction group Strabag may withdraw from Vienna Stock Exchange. “We do not need the stock exchange now.” He says in an interview with “Wirtschaftsblatt”.

August 27, 2012

VIG Aims to Expand in Poland

Vienna Insurance Group is interested in the Polish subsidiaries of ING and Aviva. However, there are no sales plans yet.

August 23, 2012

Global Increase in Direct Investments made by Austrian Companies

In addition to CEE/SEE countries, growth in Austrian direct investments was also seen in Germany, Russia and Turkey.

August 21, 2012

South Stream Pipeline May Run Across Croatia

Instead of Hungary, the pipeline project South Stream may pass through Croatia. Gazprom currently negotiates with the Croatian operator Plinacro.

August 20, 2012

Bank Austria as UniCredit´s Cash Cow

Without Bank Austria, UniCredit would have been in the loss area. The CESEE region is still Bank Austria´s future market.

August 4, 2012

RBI: Bad Development in Hungary

Herbert Stepic, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International expects that the development of non-performing loans is stable this year.

July 21, 2012

Austerity Program at RBI

Raiffeisen Bank International´s CEO Herbert Stepic is against a capital increase. The market conditions would be unfavorable.

July 20, 2012

Kapsch TrafficCom: Rise in Revenues Ahead

Analysts expect the Austrian IT company to record a substantial increase in revenues. The earnings are different.

July 16, 2012

Bank Austria: Major Investment at Russian Subsidiary

UniCredit Group increases the equity base of the Russian subsidiary.

July 14, 2012

Sberbank to Provide € 300m for VBI

The Russian Sberbank intends to inject € 300m into the Austrian VBI (Volksbank International). Growth into the CEE region should be promoted.

July 13, 2012

Germany Still Biggest Investor in Austria

For years, Germany leads the ranking of foreign investors in Austria. The Northern neighbour country is followed by Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands and the U.S.

July 9, 2012

Austria Remains One of the Biggest CESEE Investors

Austria is still an important net investor in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. However, the global importance of the region did not increase.

July 6, 2012

Active Direct Investments Higher than Passive Direct Investments

Austrian enterprises make more investments abroad than foreign countries do in Austria, Austrian Central Bank announced.

July 5, 2012

CEE Defies Turbulences in the Eurozone

GDP in CEE expected to grow 2.6 per cent in 2012 – eurozone expected to shrink by 0.3 per cent. Growth forecast for Austria’s GDP at 0.7 per cent in 2012

July 5, 2012

Voestalpine to Put Effort into Growth

The Austrian steel producer intends to grow through acquisitions again in the medium term. Exports to Brazil and Asian countries should be promoted.

July 4, 2012

„Up to 70% of European Steel Capacities are Endangered“

Wolfgang Eder, CEO of Austrian voestalpine, thinks that the European steel industry faces fierce competition from the East.

July 3, 2012

Austria´s Exports to Asia on the Rise

Last year, Austrian exports totaled € 122bn. Above all, exports to emergin markets Brazil, India and China are growing.

June 21, 2012

Shopping Center Industry Sees Still Growth Potential in CESEE

In 2012, about 300 further shopping centers should be built in the CESEE region. The market still shows a great potential, experts say.

June 20, 2012

VIG to Invest in CEE Real Estate

The Vienna Insurance Group intends to invest more in real estate. „Central and Estern Europe is more interesting for us.“ CEO Peter Hagen says.

June 20, 2012

Nabucco: EU Commission is in Doubt

The Commission of the European Union emphasizes that Nabucco is still an option. Nevertheless, there would be cheaper options.

June 18, 2012

Major Loss at VBI

The Sberbank-owned Volksbank International (VBI) recorded a net loss of € 95.5m last year.

June 15, 2012

OMV Negotiates Petrol Station Sale with Russian Zarubezhneft

The Austrian oil and gas group OMV intends to sell its petrol station network in Croatia and Bosnia. The Russian Zarubezhneft seems to be interested.

June 12, 2012

Austerity: „There is No Alternative“

The former director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies appreciates the help for Spanish banks and thinks that a Greek exit is rather unlikely.

June 12, 2012

„There´s no Crisis in Eastern Europe“

Austrian economists and bankers do not comprehend the downgrade by Moody´s. The risk in Eastern Europe would be more differentiated, OeNB´s governor Nowotny said.

June 8, 2012

Slow Growth in Austrian Foreign Trade

January to March 2012: small increase in imports (2.3%) and exports (2.8%).

June 6, 2012

CEE Banking Sector „Performs Well“

The Austrian Raiffeisen Centrobank sees high-growth potential in the CESEE region. Loan growth is at „healthy levels“, there are „no signs of a credit crunch“.

June 6, 2012

„India and China are not the Problems“

Voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder thinks that competitors from Turkey, Russia and Ukraine may become problematic for the European steel industry.

June 5, 2012

Russians Push New Railway Line to Vienna

Russian Railways intends to establish an axis between China and Europe.

June 4, 2012

Zumtobel „Lights up“ Euro 2012

After its completed orders in Poland and in the Ukraine, Austrian lighting company expects to attain new orders in Eastern Europe.

June 1, 2012

Pecik Finds New Partner

The Austrian investor and second-largest shareholder of Telekom Austria is said to cooperate with a Russian billionaire.

June 1, 2012

Immofinanz: Takeover of Rostokino in Moscow Finalised

Following the approval by the Russian antitrust authorities, the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Golden Babylon Rostokino shopping center by Immofinanz Group was finalised on 16 May.

May 21, 2012

Ruttenstorfer Enters Serbian Gazprom Subsidiary

The former CEO of Austrian OMV becomes a member of the supervisory board of the Serbian NIS.

May 9, 2012

Austria Emphasizes Importance of Partnership with Russia

Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov.

May 8, 2012

VTB Continues Growth Course

The Austrian subsidiary of the Russian VTB Bank registered a 39.8% growth in net income. Total assets grew by 43%.

May 7, 2012

ÖIAG Seeks For Partner Against Pecik

The Austrian Industrial Holding ÖIAG, which is still the largest shareholder of Telekom Austria, wants to gain a strategic investor.

May 5, 2012

Verbund Wants to Leave France

After the sale of its stake in Poweo, the Austrian energy company intends to sell the remaining gas power plants in France.

May 5, 2012

Improved Business Atmosphere in CESEE Region

According to a survey by OeKB (Oesterreichische Kontrollbank), expectations of investors are beyond the level of January. Austrian exports to the CESEE region may increase.

May 4, 2012

Strabag: Haselsteiner Underlines Importance of Russia

In 2007, the Austrian construction company announced to establish its third core market in Russia. However, Strabag is still far from that.

April 28, 2012

Small Growth in Austrian Winter Season

The current tourism winter season 2011/12 recorded a rise in overnights by 2.1%.

April 26, 2012

“Russia now among top 10 Austrian Trading Partners”

Austrian Foreign Minister Spindelegger meets with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov.

April 25, 2012